…Hails Release Of kidnapped Medical Students, NYSC Members
Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba cultural and socio-political organisation has called for the regionalisation of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme and the enforcement of terrorism prohibition Act, 2022.
The socio-political organisation also lamented the resurgence of kidnapping in Ekiti, Ogun, Oyo, South-East and parts of the North.
It hailed the release of the graduates who were kidnapped on their way from Akwa Ibom to Sokoto State where they were to undergo the one-year national service under NYSC programme.
The organisation, in a press statement on Wednesday signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, reaffirmed its advocacy for enrollees to the scheme to be allowed to serve within their geopolitical zones rather than going from one part of the country to the other.
The statement reads, “Recall that the last batch of the youth corps members who spent virtually a whole year in the den of their abductors were rescued last week by the combined efforts of security agencies in the country through the police, army, intelligence agencies etcetera.
“In a similar vein, some medical students of the Universities of Jos and Maiduguri who were kidnapped around Otukpo, Benue State, on their way to Enugu for this year’s annual Catholic medical students’ conference, were also rescued last week by the security agencies with the support of local vigilante groups. They were kidnapped along with one of their lecturers who was travelling with them. Afenifere commended the security agencies for this.”
According to the organisation, the pockets of ‘achievements’ appear to be dwarfed by the avalanche of security challenges people are facing in different parts of the country.
It added, “Among the recent incidents cited were that of Alhaji Isa Muhammad Bawa, Emir of Gobir and District Head of Gatawa, Sokoto State who was killed despite the N30 million ransom being gathered to secure his release and that of his son with whom he was kidnapped, the continued detention of Dr. Ganiyat Popoola who is spending about eight months in the den of kidnappers and the killing of two policemen in Imo State last week by gunmen.
“Hon. Aminu Boza, a member of the Sokoto State House of Assembly representing Sabon Birni (North), disclosed that as many as 151 people were abducted between Tsamaye and Sabon Birni of the state after the abduction of Emir Bawa of Gobir.” he stated.
Afenifere cited some of the recent kidnappings that took place in Ekiti State and parts of Oke-ogun area of Oyo State as well as the siege laid on Imeko Afon community in Ogun State.
The organisation added, “To put an end to this scourge that is eating into the fabrics of the nation there’s the urgent need by the government to start the immediate implementation of the Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022 (“TPA 2022”) signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari in May, 2022.”
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